Establishing a new IXP in Ferghana Valley

OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT 

The purpose of the project is to increase regional cross-border collaboration through an increase in Internet affordability by lowering Internet tariff plans up to three times, multiplying growth of Internet traffic exchange in region, increasing Internet penetration rates due to price reduction, and improving latency for international and regional content sources.

The specific objectives are to: (1) decrease Internet prices in the south of Kyrgyzstan up to five times, matching those in Bishkek; (2) provide higher speed for local stakeholders, up to 10 times from the present level; (3) improve QoS (cut latency) of international traffic from 60-220ms to 3-20ms by hosting local cache servers (Google, Youtube, mail.ru); (4) increase the growth of Internet bandwidth consumption per capita in countries of Central Asia; (5) increase the number of local Internet service providers who are less dependent on transit Internet from Bishkek; (6) engage Tajikistan ISP in traffic exchange; (7) increase the growth of content generation in local languages (Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Tajik).  

WHY IS THIS PROJECT IMPORTANT? 

Ferghana Valley, located at the crossroads of three countries, is the most populated area in Central Asia. It has been a source of regional inter-ethnic tensions due to water and land irrigation disputes, poverty challenges, and lack of access to communication services. 

Kyrgyzstan is one of the countries where Ferghana Valley shares. There are several closed IXPs based in Bishkek (ISP, banks). Unlike present IXPs that could not be neutral and open for new members by Charter, Ferghana Valley IXP (FVIXP) will follow principles of openness and neutrality by providing equal access to infrastructure to all stakeholders, including government agencies, educational and healthcare institutions, and commercial banks. This IXP will help local small and medium ISP to minimize traffic costs and to spend more on infrastructure rather than on Internet traffic purchases. Establishing this IXP would greatly enhance the utility and value of the regional Internet and promote the growth of the digital economy. 

*The photograph is purely illustrative.
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